Western Field/Stevens 12ga Serian number ID

Trying to find some info on a Western Field Model 30 shotgun. I have found out that it is a Stevens 520 made for Monkey Wards, but when? The serial is U 464xx. I have tried google searches, but can't find anywhere that lists dates of manufacture for this firearm.

Ive been trying to locate the same info with no luck. I have heard that they were manufactured between 1912 and 1930.

Fred Fuller

March 16, 2009, 08:35 AM

Suffice it to say, it's old. How old depends...

Very early 520s have a 'double hump' receiver and a sliding safety in the front of the trigger guard bow, aka a "suicide safey".

Later ones have a crossbolt safety button, newer ones have a sliding top tang safety. The 520 was in production from 1904 till 1932. The 520-30 model (one hump receiver, top tang safety) was put back in production during WW2 as a trench and riot gun. Some remained in service through the early days of the war in Vietnam.

They are good solid guns, as befits a design by John M. Browning. IMHO they have the best take-down system ever used in a production American repeating shotgun, far better than the interrupted-thread system on the takedown Winchester Model 97 and model 12.

But they ARE a Browning design, and that means the receiver is best left untampered with- too many teeny parts in there. I've posted takedown directions for it before, if you don't know how to take it down and your search-fu is not strong, PM me and I'll dig the steps up for you.

hth,

lpl

Caliper_RWVA

March 17, 2009, 10:01 PM

OK, mine is a 'double hump' with the safety tab inside the trigger guard, so a newer model. What sort of loads are safe in this gun?

Lee, my search-fu is... adaquete, and I have found your takedown instructions. Jut how difficult is it to do the reciever? I have successfully taken apart mechanical watches.

I've read that the Wards models continued to be made into the '60's-'70's, is this true?

Fred Fuller

March 17, 2009, 10:44 PM

Production on the 'civilian' 520 ended in 1932. The Montgomery Ward guns came off the same line at Stevens/Savage as the company marked guns- they were just marked differently.

With a 'suicide safety' and a double hump receiver, I'd guess your gun was made before the 1920s.

Browning's older designs are heavy in small parts. I would't go into one on a bet, I hate the thought even of field stripping a BAR, and that was a military weapon made to be stripped. Personally I'd just take the shotgun down, remove the buttstock (just take out the stock mounting bolt from the receiver tang, and pull the buttstock off to the rear) and clean the assembled receiver as a unit. Soak it for a few hours in kerosene or diesel fuel in a covered metal container, outside in an area not exposed to open flame. Then drain it thoroughly and blow it out gently with compresed air if necessary- that should get rid of gummed up oil etc. You can get to everything you need to lube at that point.

hth,

lpl

Txhillbilly

March 18, 2009, 12:51 AM

The 520-520A shotguns are great ole guns. The 520 was the double hump,and the 520A was a single hump receiver.These guns were built to last and I enjoy hunting with my 520A,it is also a Westernfield with a factory Poly-choke.
You can shoot just about any 2 3/4" shell out of it. If you don't already know,if you dry fire the gun,and try to function the pump forearm and it will not work,push forward on the forearm to release the bolt,and then pull it backwards-These are recoil operated bolts per the design,and when dry fired the bolt stays locked in position.
Like Lee said just takedown the receiver/barrel assembly and spray or soak the receiver,and then use a compressor to blow it out to clean it,unless something is broke there's no need in trying to disassemble the receiver to clean it.
Clean it up,and go enjoy shooting it,these are great shotguns.

hey fellas i have a couple of these western field 30 models ,aka stevens 520a single hump, and i didn't think there were all that many complicated parts to them???? after takeing apart my old Ithaca flues single barel trap these western fields seem relativly simple for my part. have been rebuilding the stock to fit a little higher and am going to give it a go at the trap range this summer,feels like it shouldn't miss right now. buy the way i am looking for a 520a in 20 gauge,any body know of one for sale?

Caliper_RWVA

April 17, 2010, 08:05 AM

hey fellas i have a couple of these western field 30 models ,aka stevens 520a single hump, and i didn't think there were all that many complicated parts to them????

I didn't find mine that hard to do. Once you have the stock and barrel off, mine has a screw and a pin along the bottom edge of the receiver that hold the trigger group in. With that out, the rest of the disassembly is apparent. Just take pictures along the way so you get everything in the right place. There is a lever and spring that work for the bolt unlock and feed control that I needed to refer to my photographic "reference" for!